Method and device for determining a position of a part of a motor vehicle seat which can be displaced by means of a drive device

ABSTRACT

According to the invention, the position of a part of a motor vehicle seat which can be displaced by a drive device (M 1 -M 4 ) is determined by evaluating a signal (H 1 -H 4 ) which is generated according to a drive movement of the drive device. In addition to this signal, at least one parameter is evaluated in order to correct a position error caused by at least temporarily asynchronous movements of the drive device and the displaceable part.

[0001] The invention relates to a method and device for determining a position of a part of a motor vehicle seat which can be displaced by a drive device.

[0002] From DE 41 08 295 A1 a motor seat device is known which has a displacement motor for displacing a motor vehicle seat in the forward or backward direction, a lift motor for moving the seat up and down and an incline motor for adjusting the angle of incline of the backrest of the seat. Operating data for the corresponding motors in reaction to a pre-setting process are stored in a pre-setting memory. A memory drive device drives the motors according to the operating data which has been stored in the pre-setting memory. By operating a manual switch device the motors are driven by a manual drive device. Controlling the motors is carried out by a control mechanism by processing the operating data, which is issued from each motor during its inertia rotation, as signals in the same direction as directly before the inertia rotations of the relevant motors, in the event of actuation of the manual switch device when the motors are driven by the memory drive device.

[0003] The adjusting devices of modern motor vehicle seats have self-locking action for the displacing elements in order to ensure the security of the vehicle seat in the event of a crash and to prevent the seat from being moved forwards through the crash forces. As a result of this self-locking action adjusting devices of modern vehicle seats have a tendency to be sluggish or slow-acting so that the problem of errors in the start-up position through inertia rotations of the adjusting systems with the driving motors is rather less. It is also questionable whether the accuracy of the determination of the actual position is adequate for approaching the stored position.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to improve the accuracy of determining the actual position of a part of a motor vehicle seat which can be displaced by a drive device without increasing the costs of sensors for detecting the position or impairing the self-locking properties of the adjusting device.

[0005] This is achieved through a method for determining the position of a displaceable part of a motor vehicle seat with the features of patent claim 1 and the device for establishing a position of a displaceable part of a motor vehicle seat with the features of patent claim 17. Advantageous further developments of the invention are to be concluded from the sub-claims.

[0006] According to this in order to determine a position of a part of a motor vehicle seat which can be displaced by a drive device the position of the displaceable part is determined by evaluating a signal which is generated in dependence on a drive movement of the drive device. Apart from this signal at least one parameter is additionally evaluated for correcting a position error whereby the position error is caused by an at least temporary asynchronous movement between the drive device and the displaceable part.

[0007] If the displaceable part is driven directly by the drive device, thus without any force transfer through gearing elements or coupling elements, the movement of the drive device and the displaceable part would take place synchronously. As a rule however for transferring drive moment, more particularly drive torque, and drive speed, more particularly the speed of the drive, gearing elements and coupling elements are used which enable transmission ratios to lower speeds or to higher torques. Instead of the electric motors with a rotating rotor which are usually used for motor vehicle seats, other drive devices can also be used, such as linear motors or a hydraulics system with corresponding gear means.

[0008] The driving force of the drive device causes for example elastic deformations of the gear elements or coupling elements. These elastic deformations lead to a deviation in the proportionality between the drive movement of the drive device and the displacement movement of the displaceable part. As a result of this deviation from the proportionality the drive device and the displaceable part are moved asynchronously until the elasticity is tensioned. This temporary asynchronicity leads to a difference between the drive movement determined by the signal and the movement of the displaceable part and thus to a position error in the actual position of the displaceable part.

[0009] In addition to an elastic coupling further sources of error are possible for the position error. By way of example gear elements or coupling elements frequently have a significant play between the displacement directions. In the event of switching over the displacement direction the play leads to a temporary asynchronous movement between the drive device and the displaceable part. A further possible source of error is a plastic deformation of gear elements or coupling elements. A displacement system which is tensioned for example by movement becoming locked leads after some time to a setting, thus to plastic deformations, of the previously elastically tensioned elements and thus to a further form of the asynchronous movement.

[0010] In order to determine the position of the displaceable part a signal is evaluated which is generated in dependence on a drive movement, more particularly a rotation of a drive axis of an electric motor. Different measuring processes can be used for this generation. By way of example the signal is a voltage signal proportional to the rotational angle, current signal or frequency signal. More advantageously digital impulses characterising a certain rotational angle or drive path are evaluated. These impulses are generated more particularly through at least one Hall sensor whereby for example a magnet mounted on the drive shaft functions as a transmitter of the measuring system. As an alternative it is possible to evaluate binary signals generated by the drive movement. By way of example punched discs can be used to detect different rotational angles.

[0011] The signal is evaluated depending on the nature of the signal and the way in which the drive movement copies computer-processable data. For evaluation the signal is quantized for example by means of an analogue-digital converter or the analogue signal is converted by a threshold value switch into digital pulses. The computer evaluative signals are counted for example in a micro computer unit for evaluation and assigned to certain positions of the displaceable part. Furthermore the signals preferably serve to determine memory positions of the displacements and to automatically correct the position for reaching the memory positions, as described for example in DE 41 08 295-A1.

[0012] In particular the generation of the signals takes place within or in the vicinity of the drive device in order to save additional cabling to further sensors located in different places of the displacement system. If the displacement movement of the displaceable part can be sensed directly then there is the advantage of saving a connection and the problem on which the invention is based could be solved more easily in a different way. As an alternative to a sensor transmitter mounted on the drive axis or on another drive element (with associated sensor) the ripple of the motor current is evaluated as a signal. The ripple counting process which is known per se is to be applied with particular advantage to the correction of position errors according to the invention since a correction is also possible after switching off the motor current.

[0013] Essential to the invention is the evaluation of a parameter in addition to the signal already mentioned. The parameter can thereby be generated not solely from the drive movement but requires a further value independent of the signal, for example a time value of a clock or another time transmitter. By way of example the time value is used as a parameter or the time value is evaluated in combination with the signal as a parameter which serves to determine and evaluate a speed of the displaceable part. The parameter characterises properties of the displacement and forms at least one value affecting the displacement. Starting from the example previously mentioned the speed of an unregulated drive device is evaluated as a measure for sluggish movements of the displacement system and thus for determining the measure of an elastic deformation.

[0014] In addition to the example previously mentioned other parameters are advantageously evaluated. In dependence on the parameter which is to be evaluated evaluation methods are used which are adapted to the type of parameter. Whereas for example the time value or control values, such as for example the motor current direction, are already available for evaluation in computer processable form in a computer unit, other parameters to be determined, such as seated weight of the occupant or the atmospheric temperature are measured by sensors and where necessary are converted into computer processable information. If several data or constants are required for determination and evaluation of the parameter then the parameter is calculated by means of an algorithm or are read off from an empirically determined table. In an advantageous development of the invention several parameters are evaluated combined for different influences affecting the displacement.

[0015] The correction of the position error makes it possible to compensate by computer technology the most varied influences on the asynchronicity between the drive device and the displaceable part. Also the correction of the position error is carried out by means of an algorithm, empirically determined values or other for example successive processes. Particular developments of the correction will be explained below.

[0016] In a further advantageous development of the invention the position error is corrected in dependence on a class assigned to the correction. The classes are previously fixed by empirical methods for a certain accuracy of the correction, or alternatively are optimised in a self-learning manner from several displacement stretches. Which class in a displacement process is fixed as the actual class for the correction of the position error is more advantageously determined by a comparison of the one or more characteristic values with one or more threshold values. The values for correction of the class decisive for this correction case are subsequently measured, calculated and/or retrieved from a memory.

[0017] In a further development of the invention each class is assigned a correction factor for the correction of the position error. By way of example a positive or a negative sign serves as correction factors. If in this example the control signal is used as parameter for supplying current to the drive device, for the class “negative” which is valid after current is supplied, the incoming signals for movement of the drive unit are thus negatively weighted with the correction factor “−1”, since as a result of the relaxation of the elasticity the drive axis is moved contra to the displacement and at the start of displacement for tensioning the elasticity the same absolute position error arises. Thus in this illustrated correction process, for evaluation, data of the signal are divided into additive data and subtractive data. Consequently the actual position is corrected in the displacement direction corresponding to the additive data or opposite the displacement direction corresponding to subtractive data. As an alternative the correction factor is a proportionality factor. If the class is determined for example as parameter through a torque of the drive device then in a region of the tensioning of the elasticity the position error is proportional to the torque of the drive device. This proportional part of the position error is corrected by means of the correction factor after switching off the motor current.

[0018] In a further advantageous development of the invention each class is assigned a correction constant for correcting the position error. Thus the position error is corrected particularly simply without additionally required computer power by retrieving the correction constant from a non-volatile memory. Correction constants are for this purpose previously determined empirically and recorded in the memory for the corresponding displacement system. The correction constant is particularly advantageously used combined with further factors, for example the correction factor or potency factor of an algorithm in order to correct the position error.

[0019] Apart from correction factors and correction constants further functional connections such as square functions or root functions are possible. Functional connections are used with particular advantage in order, for correction, to weight the signal in dependence on the parameter. The weighting is thereby not restricted to a class division but evaluates the signal alternatively by using for example constant functions.

[0020] In a development of the invention, for weighting, data of the signal are divided into data to be evaluated and data dropped for correction. This enables a particularly rapid correction and up-dating of the position corresponding to the data which is to be evaluated. By way of example the position error is continuously determined in relation to the torque of the drive device. If for example the torque of the drive device rises as a result of sluggishness in the displacement then the elasticity of an elastic coupling is tensioned more severely. According to the torque the data of the signal are distributed differently for weighting in that a greater proportion of dropped data is allocated for correction of greater sluggishness.

[0021] A particularly advantageous development of the invention proposes that as signals pulses are evaluated which are generated in dependence on the drive movement, more particularly a rotational angle of the drive movement. The pulses are counted for evaluation and added or subtracted according to the displacement direction. The counting of the pulses is corrected for correction.

[0022] Different values are evaluated as parameters. As parameter is evaluated a drive value such as a control signal for supplying current to the drive device corresponding to the displacement direction, a scanning ratio of a pulse width modulation for regulating the drive speed, a voltage of the vehicle battery, a displacement time or the number of pulses of the signal within one time unit, the time interval between two pulses, a temperature of the drive device or of the displacement system, motor power or a measured or calculated torque of the drive device. The parameter is preferably determined cyclically and continuously updated in a memory. Sliding mean values can preferably also be formed for up-dating. Some parameters are alternatively determined only shortly before switching off the motor current and subsequently included in the calculation.

[0023] Likewise an operating value is used additionally as a parameter. The operating value is thereby dependent on external operating influences on the displacement. The operating value such as a seat occupancy, a seated weight of the seat user, a distribution of the seated weight or an atmospheric temperature is detected and evaluated for correction. By way of example the seated weight of the seat user is an important value which influences the sluggishness of the displacement. Determining the seated weight can thereby take place at an early stage, more particularly after the seat user gets in and closes the vehicle door.

[0024] The sluggishness of the displacement system is preferably additionally determined over the entire possible displacement path and stored in a memory. From the known sluggish actions a correction is possible for the corresponding displacement region by evaluating stored data of the displacement system as parameter corresponding to the positions for the sluggish actions.

[0025] In order to adapt the evaluation of changed conditions in the displacement system, for example the contamination of displacement elements and gear elements, at least one significant characteristic of the displacement is evaluated as the parameter. This significant characteristic is for example the detection of the elasticity for blocking the displaceable part. Possible significant sluggish action, smooth running action or a known play of the displacement system are detected inter alia as characteristic.

[0026] Particularly advantageous are evaluated as characteristic a combination of one or more operating values, one or more drive values, stored sluggish actions and/or one or more significant characteristics. An x-dimensional class matrix is hereby used for example for correction whereby x indicates the number of parameters which are to be evaluated combined. Thus for correction one class of class matrix is determined from the temperature of the drive device, the momentary torque of the drive device, the change in the drive torque and the seated weight, as well as the distribution of the seated weight.

[0027] In a particularly advantageous further development of the invention the drive movement is determined by means of a single-channel sensor. The single-channel sensor, for example a Hall sensor, requires only two additional cables to be laid without having to integrate an evaluation electronics unit in the sensor. As signal is evaluated a non-direction detectable sensor signal of the single-channel sensor. Since the direction cannot be determined by a single Hall sensor a characteristic value, for example the control signal for the direction of the current supply to the drive device is evaluated as well. By way of example when using a single Hall system the sensor unit is not in a position without evaluating an additional parameter to differentiate the direction of rotation of the drive axis since the generated pulses are independent of the direction of rotation.

[0028] Through the method according to the invention an increase is achieved in the position repetition accuracy of the displacement system, more particularly with a single Hall sensor unit, without having to use the more complex and thus more cost-intensive Hall elements, e.g. double Hall systems. An increase in the position repetition accuracy in turn reduces the likelihood that the displacement system is moved into a block, thus into an end stop. Since moving into a block causes a high strain on the electric motors and gearing the wear on the electric motors and gear can thus be particularly advantageously reduced. If nevertheless blocking occurs then more advantageously the position determination at this point is standardised anew. Furthermore the use of single Hall systems reduces the cabling costs for the drive devices since no direction information has to be transmitted.

[0029] The parameter is in a further development of the invention evaluated in a double function for correcting a position error and for detecting a jamming of an object or part of the human body. If in particular several parameters are evaluated then it is possible to detect a jamming case from the seated weight, the anticipated sluggish action of the displacement system and from the actual sluggish action of the displacement system.

[0030] The invention will now be explained in further detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings in which:

[0031]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a seat frame with a number of motor driven displacement paths;

[0032]FIG. 2 shows an evaluation device and four motors each with a Hall sensor;

[0033]FIG. 3 shows a model for calculating the torque supplied by the electric motor;

[0034]FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic development of a correcting process;

[0035]FIG. 4′ shows a diagrammatic detail of the development of the correcting process from FIG. 4; and

[0036]FIG. 5 shows a further diagrammatic development of the correcting process.

[0037]FIG. 1 shows a seat lower frame having a number of motor driven displacement paths. It consists basically of a pair of rail guides 1 whose lower rails 10 are fixed on the vehicle floor and whose upper rails 11 support the seat structure with all the drive assemblies. The electric longitudinal displacement means include gears 31 which are driven directly by the motor 61 or indirectly through a flexible shaft 9. The rear seat height adjustment is driven by the motor 61 through gear 32 whereby the adjustment force is transferred to the connecting shaft 17 which is in rotationally secured connection at its ends with the drive levers 20. The ends of the drive levers 20 engage through pivotal bearings 40 on the rear ends of the side plates 22 so that a swivel movement of the lever 20 leads to an up and down movement of the rear side plate 22. The gear 30 thereby serves only to adjust the seat depth and has only a slight influence on the crash security of the seat.

[0038] The front seat height adjustment operates in an analogous way using a further motor through a gearing 33 and a further connecting shaft through the lever arms 21 and 210. Both belt mounting points 220 and 221 of the seat frame are mounted on the side parts 22. In the event of a crash the crash force is introduced through the belt mounting points into the seat frame leading to the desired and undesired deformations of parts or structural groups, for example stretching of an angled contour and bending and thus forward displacement in the load direction.

[0039] In order to prevent forward displacement of the seat the gears and associated displacement elements such as spindles etc are designed self-locking. For orientation FIG. 1 shows a co-ordinate cross whereby the x-direction points in the drive direction, the y-direction across the drive direction and the z-direction upwards, perpendicular to the xy plane. The gears 30, 31, 32 and 33 as well as the flexible shaft 9 are elastically deformed for displacement until the displacement force engaging on the displacement is greater than the self locking action or the friction force of the sluggish action of the displacement system.

[0040]FIG. 2 shows an evaluation device ECU and four motors M1 to M4 each with a Hall sensor H1 to H4. A unit comprising the electric motor M1 and Hall sensor H1, respectively M2, M3, M4 and H2, H3 and H4 is connected to the evaluation device ECU through four leads (4) of a connection. Two of these leads are connected for transferring the motor current to the power relay PR of the evaluation device ECU. The other two leads are connected to the interface I_(H) for the Hall sensors H1 to H4 of the evaluation device ECU. The signals of the Hall sensors H1 to H4 are converted in the interface I_(H) into computer-processable pulses and forwarded to the micro computer unit MCU of the evaluation unit ECU.

[0041] The micro computer unit controls the power relays PR through a driver D. The micro computer unit MCU additionally generates a pulse width modulated control signal PWM for controlling the power transistors PT. The power transistors PT serve to control the relevant motor current and are connected to the power relays. In order to feed in and store for example parameters of the system in the micro computer unit MCU the micro computer unit MCU has an integrated flash memory. The micro computer unit MCU is connected to a voltage supply VS with the voltage U_(B) of the vehicle battery which supplies the micro computer unit with the operating voltage of as a rule 5 V. In addition the voltage supply VS has a watchdog for booting up the evaluation device EGU from standby mode.

[0042] Furthermore the micro computer unit MCU is connected to an input interface I which forms an interface to an operating device SU, more particularly a switch block SU for controlling the electric motors M1 to M4. A further interface CAN-I connects the micro computer unit MCU to a CAN bus which enables information and data exchange with further function units of the vehicle.

[0043]FIG. 3 shows a model for calculating the torque M_(Mot) discharged by the electric motor M1 to M4 as a parameter. The terminal voltage U_(Klemm) adjoining the terminals of the electric motor M1, M2, M3, M4 is calculated from the battery voltage U_(bat) and the scanning ratio PWM of the pulse width modulation. The terminal voltage U_(Klemm) is counteracted by the voltage E_(m) dependent on the speed n of the electric motor M1, M2, M3 or M4 through the factor K₃. The counter induction voltage U_(ind) of the electric motor M1, M2, M3 is calculated in dependence on the low-pass behaviour of the electric motors M1, M2, M3 or M4. The motor current I_(mot) is calculated through a factor K₁₁ and the torque of the electric motor M1, M2, M3 or M4 is calculated through a further factor K₁₂. Accordingly the torque of the motor M1, M2, M3 or M4 is determined from the following formula in the micro computer unit MCU: $M_{Motor} = {\left( {U_{Klemm} - {K_{3}*n}} \right)\left( \frac{1}{1 + {sT}_{el}} \right)*K_{11}*K_{12}}$

[0044]FIG. 4 shows diagrammatically a development of a correcting process. In step 1 the displacement is started by the occupant pressing a button of the operating device in order to move the seat into another position. For displacement an electric motor M1, M2, M3 or M4 is supplied with current from the control device ECU.

[0045] Before the start of the rotational movement of the electric motor M1, M2, M3 or M4 as a result of step 2 the previous stationary position is retrieved from a memory and loaded into a register of the micro computer unit MCU. Following on in step 3 the displacement direction is determined from a control value of the micro computer unit. The control value can be evaluated for later correction in addition as a parameter.

[0046] The position of the displacement is continuously up-dated in dependence on the generated pulses of the Hall sensors H1, H2 H3 or H4 in that the pulses are added or subtracted from an actual value corresponding to the direction of displacement. Each automatically adjustable position thereby corresponds to a numerical value. If the adjustment is stopped by letting go the button or the displacement reaches an automatically adjustable position stored for this purpose the actual position is stored interim in a register of the microcomputer unit MCU.

[0047] During steps 2 to 5 time-variable parameters or parameters dependent on the displacement movement are continuously updated in the process X. In the process Y time-invariable parameters are determined and stored interim in a memory for example a RAM. In step 6 the position stored interim in the register of the micro computer unit MCU is corrected in dependence on the parameters. The corrected position is recorded in a following step 7 in a non-volatile memory. For a renewed adjustment this same corrected position is retrieved in turn from the non-volatile memory in a step 4′ (not shown in FIG. 4).

[0048] Step 6 of FIG. 4 is shown in detail in FIG. 4′. One or more class addresses are determined from the constant parameters KG, the variable parameters KG and the position as well as the parameters KG in step 6 a dependent on the position. Each possible class address is in turn assigned a constant memory content or one dependent on further conditions for example the adjustment. The memory content thereby depicts the position error through the at least temporary asynchronous movement. The content of the error is identical itself or is a transformed value which is calculated in a later algorithm in the micro computer unit MCU. Accordingly in step 6 b the memory is interrogated for the corresponding class address and in step 6 c the memory content is retrieved for the class address Then in step 6 d the correction of the position takes place from the memory content whereby the incoming signals of the Hall sensors H1, H2, H4 are weighted accordingly.

[0049]FIG. 5 shows an alternative method for correcting the position error. The steps 1 to 3 correspond thereby to steps 1 to 3 of FIG. 4. In step 4 the position is updated by some numerical values. At the same time in step 5 the parameters are updated. Then in step 6 the position value is corrected in real time for example from the detected torque requirement of the electric motor M1 to M4. If in step 7 no end of displacement follows then in the now following steps 4 and 5 the position and parameters are updated again in dependence on the previously corrected position. If the displacement is stopped in step 7 then the storing of the last corrected position takes place in step 8.

[0050] List of Reference Numerals

[0051]1 Rail guide

[0052]9 Flexible shaft

[0053]10 Lower guide rail

[0054]11 Upper guide rail

[0055]17, 19 Connecting shaft

[0056]20, 21 Drive lever

[0057]22 Side plate, side part

[0058]210 Lever arm

[0059]220, 221 Belt mounting point

[0060]30, 31, 32, 33 Gears

[0061]40 Pivotal bearing

[0062] M1, M2, M3, M4, 61 Electric motors

[0063] H1, H2, H3, H4 Hall sensors

[0064] I_(H) Evaluation circuit, interface of Hall sensors

[0065] ECU Operating device, switch panel

[0066] I Interface of operating device

[0067] CAN CAN bus

[0068] CAN-I CAN-Bus interface

[0069] U_(B) Battery voltage

[0070] GND Earth

[0071] PT Power transistors, power stage

[0072] PR Power relays, power switch

[0073] D Driver

[0074] MCU Micro computer unit

[0075] VS Voltage supply of integrated switch circuits

[0076] KG Parameter 

1. Method for determining a position of a part of a motor vehicle seat which can be displaced by an electric drive device whereby the electric drive device is elastically coupled to the displaceable part so that an at least temporary asynchronous movement can occur between the electric drive device and the displaceable part, whereby the position of the displaceable part is determined by evaluating a signal generated in dependence on a drive movement of the electric drive device and in addition the torque (M_(mot)) and/or at least one parameter of the electric drive device correlating with same is evaluated for correcting a position error caused by an asynchronous movement between the electric drive device and the displaceable part.
 2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the parameter of the electric drive device correlating with the torque (M_(Mot)) is a drive voltage (U_(Klemm)), a drive current (I_(Mot)) and/or a speed (n).
 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the position error is corrected in dependence on a class assigned to the correction, and the actual class for the correction case is determined by comparing the torque (M_(Mot)) and/or at least one correlating parameter with one or more threshold values.
 4. Method according to claim 3, characterised in that each class is assigned a correction factor for correcting the position error.
 5. Method according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterised in that each class is assigned a correction constant for correcting the position error.
 6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that for correction the signal is weighted in dependence on the torque (M_(mot)) and/or at least one correlating parameter.
 7. Method according to claim 6, characterised in that for weighting data from the signals are divided into additive data and subtractive data and the actual position is corrected in the displacement direction and opposite the displacement direction corresponding to the additive data or subtractive data respectively.
 8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that for weighting data of the signals are divided into data to be evaluated or data dropped for correction, and the position is up-dated corresponding to the data to be evaluated.
 9. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that as signals pulses are evaluated which are generated in dependence on the drive movement, more particularly a rotational angle of the drive movement, for evaluation the pulses are counted and added or subtracted according to the displacement direction, and for correction the counting of the pulses is corrected.
 10. Method according to claims 7 and 9, characterised in that for correction the pulses are added to the position when the drive device is supplied with current as a result of a control signal as parameter for the displacement direction, and the pulses are subtracted from the position when the supply of current to the drive device for the displacement direction is terminated, the pulses are subtracted from the position when the drive device is supplied with current as a result of a control signal as characteristic value for the counter displacement direction, and the pulses of the position are added when the supply of current to the drive device for the counter displacement direction is terminated.
 11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that as parameter is evaluated a drive parameter, more particularly a control signal for the displacement direction a scanning ratio of a pulse width modulation a battery voltage a displacement time a drive temperature a measured or calculated torque or a combination of several drive parameters of the drive device.
 12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that as parameter is evaluated an operating parameter, more particularly a seat occupancy a seated weight (of the seat user) a distribution of the seated weight an atmospheric temperature, or a combination of several operating parameters of the seat or of one or more operating parameters with one or more drive values.
 13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that as parameter for the positions are evaluated the stored sluggish actions of the displacement system.
 14. Method according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that as parameter is evaluated at least one significant characteristic of the displacement.
 15. Method according to one of claims 7 to 14, characterised in that as parameter is evaluated a combination of one or more operating values, one or more drive values, stored sluggish actions and/or one of more significant characteristics.
 16. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drive movement is determined by a single-channel sensor in that as signal is evaluated a non direction detectable sensor signal of the single-channel sensor.
 17. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the torque (M_(mot)) and/or at least one correlating parameter is evaluated in a double function for correcting a position error and for detecting the jamming of an object or part of the human body.
 18. Device for determining a position of a part of a motor vehicle seat which can be displaced by an electric drive device whereby the electric drive device is elastically coupled to the displaceable part so that an asynchronous movement can occur at lest temporarily between the electric drive device and the displaceable part, with an evaluation device for determining the position of the displaceable part by evaluating a signal whereby the signal is generated in dependence on a drive movement of the electric drive device, whereby the evaluation device evaluates additionally the torque (M_(Mot)) and/or at least one parameter of the electric drive device correlating with same for correcting a position error caused by an asynchronous movement between the electric drive device and the displaceable part, and means are provided for correcting a position error determined from the evaluation of the torque (M_(Mot)) and/or the correlating parameter (U_(klemm), I_(Mot,)n).
 19. Device according to claim 18, characterised in that the parameter of the electric drive device correlating with the torque (M_(Mot)) is a drive voltage (U_(Klemm)), a drive current (I_(mot)) and/or a speed (n). 